At the sports desk: Red Wings--slow starts dooms them to a loss

The Wings lose to the Colorado Avalanche 3-2.
Two worrisome trends for the Wings right now--slow starts by the entire team, and especially in goal. Key stat: Wings goalies have given up goals on the very first shot of the game 4 out of the last 8 games.

At the sports desk: Detroit Red Wings fan the Flames

They edge the Calgary Flames 4-3:

"he Red Wings recovered from a lethargic first period and a two-goal third-period deficit to defeat the Calgary Flames, 4-3, in overtime Wednesday night at Joe Louis Arena....The Wings (19-4-4) won their fourth consecutive game, all at home."

Good teams find ways to win...

At the sports desk: Red Wings win a wild one

They edge Vancouver, 6-5, but...:

"But taking a 6-3 lead in the final period with three consecutive goal, then seeing Vancouver score twice and produce good chances in the waning minutes, wasn't the way the Wings wanted to close out the victory."

Still, it's nice to see a first-place, defending champion in Detroit.
But the Wings need to solve their defensive problems--a couple of weeks ago, they lost a game to Pittsburgh 7-6 which they'd at one time led 5-2...

At the sports desk: Red Wings win with pressure

The defending Stanley Cup champion Detroit Red Wings edged Anaheim last night 2-1--but maybe the game wasn't as close as the score indicated:

"The Ducks needed a near-perfect performance in goal because the Wings were flying, outshooting the Ducks, 47-16. After one victory in its last four games, Detroit (16-4-4) came out much more energized and produced one of its best 60-minute efforts of the season."

So the Wings outshot the opposition 3-1. Now that's pressure--and constant pressure is how you win consistently in the NHL. Remember the old Montreal Canadiens of the '50s, '60s, and '70s? That's how they got it done, too.

At the sports desk: Detroit Red Wings

Defending Stanley Cup champs, remember. They lose last night in OT in Vancouver, but...:

"The Red Wings finished a three-game Western Canada swing with five of a possible six points. The Wings couldn't pull off the sweep, losing 3-2 Monday when Sami Salo beat goalie Chris Osgood with a hard and high one-timer from the left circle at 2:33 of overtime."

5 out of 6 points on the road isn't bad. The Wings continue to be a force in the NHL.
They play with a great deal of poise and professionalism, which I admire.
The sports fans of Michigan may have to suffer with the Lions, but at least they have the Wings.